Portsmouth Pizza & Pub

Well Friday night I made it out again, we are trying new places now so we decided to go to Portsmouth Pizza & Pub located at 5262 N Lombard St. Portland, OR 97203Phone: (503) 289-4644. It is an older building and is way bigger inside than it looks from the outside. I got there at 7:30 and went in, always a little fun and exciting walking into someplace you have never been before by yourself. Now this week I toned down my dress as last week at Easy Street I wore my red dress and felt a little over dressed so tonight I wanted to try and blend in a little so I had on my white Capri’s and a purple tank top, Of course I did wear my 4″ heels as a girl does want her shoes to stand out.

Cassandra, Wilma and Cristine were already there and had a table. Now in the back corner they have a dance floor and a DJ that plays music later in the evening. They have 2 pool tables by the bar and on the other side a ping pong table and a shuffle board table. They even have some pinball machines and a few video games, a good mix of things to do. Soon other girls started to show up and we put tables together. I think at one point we had 15 from our group there. Karen one of the GG’s we met at Candle light showed up as she live nearby and she joined us also, She was one of the people who recommender Portsmouth to us.

We all ordered food, I had the cheesy bread and it was so good, comes with a garlic ranch dip and for the money a good value. Some of the girls had pizza and said it was really good also and the prices were good. We had a nice time talking while we ate. I played a couple games of ping pong which I have not done in many many years. I lost one and won one so not too bad. It is a lot different playing in 4″ heels especially if you have to move quickly one way or the other, but I had a blast. I started to get really warm and as Susan does not like to sweat (not lady like) and ruins ones makeup I stopped playing. The only negative was how warm it was inside. As big as Portsmouth is it really was not that crowded maybe 50 to 60 people at any one time. It would be so hot there if they ever were really busy but maybe the air conditioner would come on more then also.

The staff was awesome and the lady who waited on us remembered most of our names which is always nice and with that many of us is pretty good as I have trouble remembering some of the names. Cassandra was talking to one of the customers at the bar and she called me over, the lady thought I was a gg, now it was dimly lighted inside and I was 20 feet away but still made me feel great. I know I will never pass but if I can at least make people wonder whether I am male or female then I am happy.

Later we all started to play pool; I did manage to win a couple games but the one that was the best I lost. Cristine broke and didn’t sink any balls. On my turn I sunk 6 in a row without missing, some were pretty hard shots as I had to bank them in. it was awesome and I was on fire. I wanted to quit right then, and should have. I did not sink another ball. Cristine actually sunk my last ball by mistake and I still could not sink the 8 ball and ended up losing, but the start of the game I will remember.

Later another regular customer came over and joined us playing pool, her name was Malory and she had on this really cute, low cute low cut blue dress. She played a few game with us and was so nice, told us all how beautiful we were. In all it was a very fun night and people seemed to accept us. Several of the female customers came over and talked to us, even leaving some of the men said good night and wished us a good night. I think the economy has really impacted business and now they are more open to people of all kinds. In any event any reason we can mingle with the general population and help bridge the gap, educate others about t-girls is a plus. Talking to one of the girls she thought we were all transsexuals, it gave us a chance to explain that not every guy dressed as a female wants to physically be a woman. Some of us myself included just like to dress up. We like the clothes, makeup and everything that goes with it but do not want to be full time. And that some of us are straight and not attracted to men. We are a diverse group of people and all have our own reason for how we live and that is what makes us so fun.

In closing I would give Portsmouth Pizza & Pub two thumbs up and highly recommend them. If you live in the Portland metro area give them a try. We stayed till closing so it was another late night but so much fun. Not sure where we will be next Friday but you can bet I will Blog again about it. I hope to get out more this week so till than have a great weekend.

Saturday night at Embers

Well I made it out on a Saturday night which does not happen very often but as I have to work all day Sunday (July 4^th) I got Saturday night off and Susan went out. I got to Embers about 7:30 which was just perfect as Teresa and Cassandra had just arrived and we met at the door at the same time. There was a girl doing a chalk drawing on the side walk out front (I think she works at Embers) and it was really good. We stood and watched for a minute before going inside. There was no body inside so we went up by the pool table and sat down. We started to play pool and I actually had a good night, I think I won 7 and lost 4 which for this girl is really good. I even won a game against a guy who plays in tournaments which was really cool, and yes I won he did not scratch on the 8 ball. I sunk 3 balls in a row and then the 8 ball to win. It was a strange night as the people who won were not the ones you would expect to win.

While playing pool an older man came over and talked to me (actually was hitting on me) and offered to buy me a drink. I was flattered as any girl would be but I am just not interested in men so I thanked him but politely declined. He was fine with that and sat and talked to Teresa and me for a while before he left. A little later David brought me a drink and told me that a man at the bar bought it for me. I looked down by the bar expecting to see the man from earlier but did not see him. A little later another man younger then I came up and started to talk to me. He was the one who had bought me the drink. Again I was really flattered but still uneasy about it. This is the first time this has happened twice in one evening. I thanked him for the drink. He also was hitting on me so as I did not want to lead him on I again thanked him but explained I was not interested. He seemed a little disappointed but I think he understood. After about 10 minutes he left.

By the time the show started they had a good crowd. I still think the Friday night show is better but it was a good show. Chiffon and Onyx, they are my two favorite Drag Queens as I think they do the best. Onyx does one song called “All That Jazz” and I just love it. She is so good at it that I really look forward to her doing it. Cristine also showed up so there were 4 of us and we all had a great time. We stayed till about 1:45 so it was a late night but so fun.

I wish you all a Happy and safe 4th of July

Friday night downtown

Well I usual I made it out on Friday night. Friday was so nice and sunny and in the upper 60′s so when I left it was still really nice out. I am so ready for summer and warmed weather. I got to Embers around 7:30 like normal and there really weren’t many people there. Lisa & Bobbie were there so I joined them up by the pool table. There were two guys playing a game of pool so we sat and talked which I really like to do. Amy and Cassandra showed up about 8 and joined us and those two guys were still playing the same game. Cass put money on the table to play the next game and we had to keep asking them to play. It was frustration as they would make a shot and then sit and talk for 5 or 10 minutes then the next would shoot. It was obvious they had been drinking and really should have been cut off by Embers. They finally finished and gave up the table so we started to play.

Cassandra and I played the first two games and I lost both but it was fun. David one of the cocktail waiters who I know pretty well as he has worked there as long as I can remember was limping really bad, he told us he had broken his knee and had a cast on under his pants. Our group played pool and a few went down to watch the show. We still had a good turnout but our numbers have dwindled in recent weeks. Don’t get me wrong we still get a good turnout maybe 10 but back by the first of the year we would have 15 – 20. I am not sure why might just be with the nicer weather we have more things to do and just can’t get out as much. Cassandra and I were talking about it and she said Saturday nights are again becoming the big night out. Shame I can’t make both.

The crowd at Embers was small to start but as the show went on the crowd did grow which was nice as I really do like the shows even though I was up by the pool table most of the night. I did go down and watch some though. The crowd was mostly woman last night which was kind of fun. It was a good night out as always. I really like getting out as Susan so any time or place is great.

Shopping at Winco

Well on my way home from Starbuck’s I stopped at Winco to do some Grocery Shopping. I picked Winco for three reasons, first low prices money I save on food can be used to buy clothes. Second it is a big store so I would have to walk a lot and would spend more time there. Last they are the busiest of the stores so I would get the most exposure.

The parking lot was not as full as I thought it would be but still had a good walk in. I grabbed my cart and off I went. Right off the bat one of the female employees said hi and asked how my evening was going. She was really pleasant and I wondered if she just wanted to hear what I sounded like but I was fine either way as it was nice to be greeted. I spent about 20 minutes shopping and really did not notice anyone really looking at me and there was a good mix of people of all ages there. I got all my groceries and went up to the check stand. This is the busiest part of the store as everyone meets there and there are always lines.

I got in line and there were three other people in front of me so I knew I had a wait. I stood there and the line moved fairly fast and as I was loading my groceries on the belt the lady behind me probably in her early forties came up and asked if she could ask me a question and started off with “this is a little embarrassing” so I just knew what the question was going to be and I was ready. I said sure and that when she asked if it was hard to learn to walk in heels, not what I was expecting. I told her I found it easier than I thought it would be you just have to be careful on the smooth floors they have at Winco. She told me how cute my shoes were (I wore my open toe shoes with two inch heels). And for the next couple minutes we talked about shoes just like a couple girlfriends. It was really nice and so was she. When I was done and had paid for my groceries she thanked me for the information and wished me a good evening. I said the same and left. It was a really enjoyable experience to end my Wednesday night.

Friday Pool night at Embers

Well Friday night at Embers was all about pool. I wore one of my new dresses I bought, more of a casual look but a really cute dress I think. I have two and had a hard time choosing but I made the right choice as when I got to Embers Cassandra was wearing the one I didn’t pick. It looks like we bought the same dress. I guess we both thought it was cute. Anyway when I got there Cass, Candy and Lisa were already their up playing pool. It didn’t take long and others started to show up and soon we took up the whole area by the pool table.

It was so nice to see Candy again. It has been a while sense she has been out on a Friday night and it gave us a chance to talk and catch up on things. She is a lot of fun to hang out with. Candy Cassandra and Jamie dominated the pool table. I played twice and lost both games but still had a lot of fun. Even Barb showed up and played pool. Even Diane and Cheri showed up. Cheri was in boy mode (the first time I have ever met her this way). And Diane I have not seen sense the summer as she does not live here but comes here for business. It was great to see her again.

Jamie who is a newer member was out and I got to meet her. She came out last Saturday for the first time and her wife (who is supportive of her) was there on Saturday but tonight it was just her. We spent a good amount of time talking and getting to know each other. She is really nice and looks really good and passable. It is always nice to expand your group of friends and I hope she continues to come out more. Maya and Bev were also there, Maya had on a really cute skirt and pink top. She is so skinny she looks can wear anything. Got to talk with them both mostly Bev which I really like, there is nothing like a little girl talk. It is strange Susan so enjoys talking and being social just the opposite of my boy mode.

The show was good again tonight but being up by the pool table made it a little harder to watch but it was also a little less noisy allowing us to talk the whole night. By midnight the crowd had thinned enough that there really weren’t very many people watching the show. All in all it was a good night with friends and for me, that is the most important part of going out.

Starbuck’s for another Wednesday night

Well as usual I went to Starbuck’s tonight. The difference is I wore a dress. I bought some new outfits on line last week and a couple were dresses. Both are of a more casual look that would be something you could wear to work so I really wanted to wear one. It is a little more dressy then most of the other people here but I did see a few ladies come in wearing dresses so I don’t feel out of place. Again they were really busy when I got here and the only table open was way in the back corner which is still okay but I like being more out in the middle of the room in amongst the other people, as it slows down I will feel like I am sitting in the corner.

Any way when I got here Shavonie greeted me and told me how nice I looked which made me feel good. Even Katie noticed I had a new dress so we talked for a few minutes before I went and sat down way in the back. There were probably 25 people here tonight again seems they are getting busier on Wednesday nights but that is okay with me as long as I can find a seat. I like being out with other people around and every week I am getting more comfortable and confident. This will really help me when we go to Diva Las Vegas and I spend 11 days as Susan.

Well the t-girl group I belong to is starting to get really big, I think we are up to 147 members now and the group is always active. Cassandra started something new this week she picked one t-girl (me Susan) and asked everyone to post one thing you really like about or one thing the person is really good at. There were so many posts that I was blushing all week. I have so many great friends and it was nice to hear some of the things they liked about me. I really owe them all big thanks and hug. Now comes the hard part, I have to pick the next t-girl for the post. We have so many great t-girls in this group I don’t know who to pick. I have till tomorrow to make my pick but wow it is like trying to choose between best friends.

Anyway the crowd here is thinning out and there are only 6 of us left here but still a pretty steady stream of people who come in, get something and leave. I have even talked with Katie and Shavonie a few times tonight and learned a little about them. I even told them about going to Las Vegas in April. They have both worked for Starbuck’s for several years (Katie a little longer) and Shavonie likes to play golf and went golfing today to enjoy the sunshine. By the way today was so sunny and nice almost like summer. Susan is so ready for the summer.

Valentine’s Party at Kathy and Mandie house

Well for Friday night I went to a Valentine’s Day Party. I ordered a new dress just for the party and it showed up Friday afternoon. It is a cute black floral print dress. The Party was at Kathy and Mandie’s house. They have a beautiful house and are gracious hostesses. They had awesome food and even a bartender. The party was so much fun and it gave us a chance to talk with each other and get to know a little about everyone.

Cassandra went to Victoria’s before the party and had her do her makeup so she arrived a little later. Teresa had on a beautiful long dress that sparkled and even Peggy wore a beautiful Purple dress. They both looked so great. Everyone looked so nice in their Valentines dresses. Everyone was taking pictures and having a great time.

I got a chance to meet Laurie for the first time. We have exchanged e-mails but never met. The funny thing I didn’t recognize her as she came in boy mode. Even after she introduced herself I still couldn’t tell it was her. I wonder if I look so different between my male side and Susan. I would like to think so that way it would be hard for people to recognize me.

It seemed strange not to go to Embers as that I s my normal Friday outing but it is more about being with my friends then where we are. We have such a fun and friendly group here in Portland, it makes such a big difference when you have a group that accepts and supports you. Big thanks to Kathy and Mandie for hosting our Valentine’s Day party you two are awesome.

Friday night out 2-5-2010

Well as usual Susan went out on Friday to meet her friends. I left a little earlier than normal in hopes of getting to Embers around 6 to 6:15 but wouldn’t you know it there was a wreck on the freeway and my normal 25 minute drive turned into a 70 minute drive so it was almost 8 by the time I got there. On the bright side if I had left at my normal time it would have been 8:30 or later so there is always a bright side.

When I got to Embers there was a show going on, not sure what it was for but it was really busy so we were all up by the pool table. We had all our usual t-girls there, Cassandra, Peggy, Lisa, Samantha, Amy Cristine and even Bev & Maya showed up all that was missing was Teresa. Peggy and Cassandra both had on new dresses, they had gone shopping earlier in the day. They both looked so cute and it was really nice to see Peggy in a dress as she does not usually wear a dress. Peggy and I talked about some dresses Cassandra had just got online at fashionbug.com. One Peggy liked so she ordered the same in her size.

Shannon (a GG that likes t-girls) showed up with her date. He was a little uneasy as I don’t thinks she had told him where they were going and I don’t think he had ever met a t-girl before. Cassandra was the first to talk to him and you could tell this was new to him, a bunch of dudes in dresses but he was nice and willing to talk. I talked to him for briefly and I don’t know why but I asked him if he knew what we all had in common and he said no so I told him we all looked just like him before our first date with Shannon. You should have seen the look on his face till he realized I was joking.

 Finally the early show was over and one table cleared so a few of us moved down to watch the show and the rest stayed up and played pool. The show was good as always but our group was not as big as it has been in the past which was probably good as Embers was really crowded tonight. I can’t remember the last time I saw them this busy. Well must go as I want to check out fasionbug.com and see if I can find a new dress.

Friday at Embers and then another club 1-29-2010

Well it was another Friday night out for Susan. I got to Embers about 7:30. Peggy, Teresa, Cassandra and Lisa were already there along with Wilma. We had two tables up front. It is always nice to get there early and be able to talk before the show starts. Shannon showed up and as Saturday is her birthday we all wished her a Happy Birthday. Peggy told Jersey it was her birthday so we could get her on stage later. Soon other t-girls started to show up and soon some of them were up by the pool table playing pool.

Alice showed up a little before 10 which was nice as I haven’t seen her for a few months. We had a chance to talk some between songs and get caught up. She was one of the first t-girls I met and really helped me start coming out more. She will walk up and start talking to anyone just like Cassandra, something I wish I was better at. I am getting better at it though.

When it was time for birthdays Jersey came down and got Shannon and took her up on stage. It was so fun to watch her up there. They had her sit and we all came up and put money on her and then Vivica gave her a lap dance. We all took lots of pictures and it was nice this week to be on the other end of the lap dance this week.

We stayed till the show was over. Most of the time our group was the majority of the people there watching the show and by the end we were pretty much the only ones there. We were talking about it and how hard it must be to be up there dancing and performing and have so few people in the crowd watching.

After the show Jersey invited us to go to a club around the corner where all the drag queens go after the show for a drink. Peggy and Teresa went there on Wednesday night but it was the first time for me. It is always fun to go someplace new. When we left Shavon (one of the Drag Queens) was sitting outside. She was waiting for one of the other drag queens as she needed a ride home. She is so awesome and only 19 so she can only be on the stage and not in the club so I have never been able to talk to her. Peggy and I sat with her while she waited and we talked. She is so nice and such a good performer and it was nice to talk to her for a while. Finally she left and Peggy and I walked down the street to the next corner where the club was. Most of the drag queens were there most in boy mode but a few still in drag. We got some food and spent about 45 minutes talking with them; they are so nice and made us feel welcome. We stayed till they closed at 2:30. It was such a fun night but we stayed out way to late.

Susan’s big night out

Well Friday night I went out to meet my friends at Embers again. I was so looking forward to it all week long.  I got there about 7:30 and Peggy, Cassandra, Teresa, Lisa and Samantha were already there. Cassandra had a new wig (same style but a darker color). As the lighting inside is dim I am not sure exactly what the color is but I think it is more of a reddish blonde. It looked good on her but did make her look a little different. On the table was a box of cupcakes that Peggy brought and on toothpicks stuck in each one was my picture. It was so sweet of Peggy to do that for me and really made my day. I am really lucky to have such a wonderful bunch of friends.

Soon more of our group started to show up, Bev, Maya, Shannon, Danielle, Kathy, Mandy, Victoria, Petra and several more. Friday night truly is a great night to go out because so many T-girls are going out on that night; it is so much fun to know that there will always be friends out for you to spend time with. I remember the first few time I went out, one of the hardest things was not knowing if you would be alone or the only T-girl there.  You might get all dressed up pretty as you can and go down there (maybe have to pay to get in if you got there late) and then find that you are the only T–girl there. It was really intimidating. Now with the group we all post when and where we will be out and you know you will always have a friend (or 20) there to keep you company. It is more than a group of friends, we are almost like family. We really owe Cassandra a big thanks for starting this group and making it grow. I hope she knows how much it means to each of us. Wow got off track there.

Well anyway the show started and as always it was really good. It was finally time, and Jersey invited me and 4 others up on stage. Now a few months ago you could never have gotten me up there even if I had been drinking but I went right up. Jersey introduced us to the crowd and asked us some questions. I was a little nervous but also having fun. I was in the spotlight if even for just a little while with all eyes on me. I guess I have really become for confident in my being Susan. Next came the really embarrassing part. We all sat down and the crowd was invited up to decorate us with money for a lap dance. If you have ever been to Embers you have seen this and know what I am talking about, if not you should go check Embers out for yourselves. Anyway all my friends came up and put dollars all over me and soon all of us had dollar bills all over us. Then Vivica Valentines (one of the Drag Queens) came out and gave us all a lap dance removing the money with her mouth only. It was really embarrassing but fun at the same time. Now all my friends were taking pictures the whole time and even a video. Although these pictures are a little more embarrassing (risqué) than Susan is willing to post so sorry no pictures from Friday night as I want to keep my picture files G rated.

The show was good and went longer than normal I think they went almost till 2 as the crowd seemed to stay late. I think by the time we left it was about 2:30 as it was almost 3 by the time I got home but it was so much fun. Oh I also turned in my entry for the Miss Portland T-girl (this is the first one) contest. It is the last Friday in April and should be so much fun. I am not sure what I will do for talent but I have some time to think about it. If there are any T-girls in the Portland metro area and you have ever thought about being in a pageant or being on stag in the spotlight this is your chance. They have entry forms at Embers or if you want you can contact me and I will get one and scan it in and e-mail it to you. Any way it should be a lot of fun.